Islam vs Christianity.
In what can be called the Great Controversy, God has put himself on trial before the Universe. There is more than just our insignificant world a risk! (As one example see Ephesians 3:9-10). God’s character is on trial and the book of Revelation will declare the outcome of that trial in the light of the cross. It was at Calvary that the devil revealed his ultimate Goal – to put God Himself to death. It was also there that God demonstrated the length He was willing to go to for a rebellious planet. His justice and mercy are both revealed at Golgotha. The devil therefore wars against everything that God stands for. In Revelation we see a magnificent picture of God’s Character – His love, patience and boundless grace, as he works for a rebellious planet.
The revelation of Jesus Christ becomes clearer and clearer as we watch the drama of the ages unfold.
Revelation 8 and 9 are probably the two most difficult chapters to sort out. Like Daniel 11, I struggled with these chapters for many decades. When Daniel 11 became clear to me, it also opened my understanding of Revelation 8 and 9. These two chapters are akin to Daniel 11 as they range over the play and counter play of history. But it also shows the significant role that Islam has played since the 6th century A.D.
We should remember that God made promises to both of Abraham’s sons (Isaac and Ishmael) that they would be great nations. How sad that they never were able to get on (and probably never will.)
Is Islam in Bible prophecy? Yes, we have already seen that Daniel’s last prophecy was one that included Islam. The traditional 16th century Protestant interpretation of Revelation 9 saw the role that Islam played, for example, at the time of the reformation.
The Fall of Constantinople, (May 29, 1453), was the conquest by Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire. The dwindling Byzantine (Christian) Empire came to an end when the Ottomans breached Constantinople’s ancient land wall after besieging the city for 55 days.
Then came Suleiman I, commonly known as Suleiman the Magnificent in Western Europe and Suleiman the Lawgiver in his Ottoman realm. He was the longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until his death in 1566. Suleiman moved up through Hungry and besieged Vienna and inner Austria. Historic Protestantism had the understanding and believed that this move by Islam protected the reformation and limited the church of Rome. It was held in check by its preoccupation with Suleiman 1.
Psalm 74: talks about the smoke of God’s anger against His professed people. That smoke is referred to in Revelation 9:2. Islam, who also are God’s people from the line of Abraham, was called to protect the Middle east and Europe from the apostacy of Rome. God was going to restore the religion of Abraham. This Islamic onslaught allowed the reformation time to flourish.
As we read the trumpets I have seen and read many commentaries that get lost in the detail. But what we should instead see is the overall picture we are given of lucifer – the fallen star from heaven – who made his abode on our planet that he corrupted, and then commenced releasing destructive forces to attack its inhabitants – those whom God designed to reveal the Glory of His love.
This ruthlessness of lucifer is evident in what the scorpion-like locusts do. The agony they inflict is so bad that people wish they could die (see 9:6). Sin brings agony. However, they are limited by God to anything that is not under God’s protective seal (9:4). God’s love saves us from the pain of sin.
The detailed description of the locusts emphasises their evil, terrifying qualities. The description is not of their actual appearance but of their character and nature, which is summarised by the name of their king – appolyon which is Greek for destroyer.
Space and time does not allow me to spend copious amounts of time elaborating on what I have said about the role of Islam in the trumpets. However, if you want to find more detail, and the sources for quotes I have made may I suggest the follow web site by Stephen Dickie: www.islambibleprophecy.com Here you will find articles and 4 informative videos to watch.